In recent years Albury and Wodonga have seen significant increases in family violence with 91 per cent of victims female. This prompted Wodonga Council to organise the inaugural White Ribbon ball in 2015 where $25,000 was raised to help prevent violence against women, followed by another successful ball hosted by AlburyCity in 2016.

The grants are administered by a cross-border committee made up of AlburyCity, Wodonga Council, Albury and Wodonga police and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.

White Ribbon Day in November each year is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end men’s violence against women and girls, promote gender equality, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.

Victoria Police statistics submitted to the Royal Commission in Family Violence show that in the 2013-14 financial year, there were 691 incidents of family violence reported to police.*

In 2016, Wodonga Council adopted the Safety, Inclusion and Equity Strategy which makes the issue of preventing violence against women and children a high priority.

Council also adopted a Prevention of Violence Against Women charter in 2016 as a commitment to protecting and advancing women’s rights to be safe, respected and valued, and to participate equally and equitably in all spheres of life.

*Source: Royal Commission in Family Violence Report and Recommendations